Community Living Has Evolved

While community living was once reserved for the "over 55" population, this lifestyle has since evolved; branching out into huge master-planned communities and themed neighborhoods. Here are some of the more unique versions we've run across.

Pla d'Adet in the Blue Ridge Mountains represents the vision of professional cyclist, George Hincapie. This family oriented community is perfect for those interested in a healthy, fitness-oriented lifestyle. Along with regular amenities, Pla d'Adet has a 38,000 square-foot state-of-the art training facility, a 25-meter indoor pool, a resort-style outdoor pool, studios for aerobics, group cycling, and yoga, spa and dry sauna.

The 97 one to two-acre home sites range in price from $400,000 to over $1.5 million depending on elevation, location and mountain views. The community is connected with a system of wilderness trails, pathways, cycling loops and owner access roads.

The number of equestrian communities in the U.S. has doubled over the last few years. Now you can live in a country setting, while your horse lives a stone's throw away, in the lap of luxury. Facilities often include a complete equestrian center featuring barns, paddocks and pastures and activities such as hunter/jumper shows and other horsey type events. Many of these neighborhoods are located on or near trail systems that offer miles of scenic trail-riding.

Also growing in popularity are gay- and lesbian-oriented developments. Currently there are four communities in operation and about 18 more slated for future development across the country.

Retirement communities have come a long way since grandma and grandpa's trailer park. Today these neighborhoods are geared toward every budget, lifestyle and health need, and contain every amenity imaginable.

Designed for the senior with an active lifestyle, these communities are strategically located close to lakes, golf courses or acreage to take advantage of the many associated recreational activities. They generally have active social programs, a fitness center and community center, and are located to many local amenities.

Continuing Care Communities allow their residents to remain in the same location as they age. Accommodations change as their needs change and may range from individually maintained homes to 24-hr nursing care facilities. The available activities and amenities vary to meet the needs of the different lifestyles of the residents.

Manufactured Home Communities are low maintenance communities that range from affordable, budget-friendly sites to elegant golf club or waterfront homes. Some are seasonal resorts located near lakes with extensive boating and fishing, while others are year-round communities.

RV Communities cater to seniors on the move and may include homes with RV parking or temporary sites for parking the vehicles. They're usually located in a scenic setting and include community areas with extensive social programs, and recreational amenities such as a pool, walking/biking trails, and tennis courts.

Upscale Communities range from beach front locations to award-winning golf courses to breathtaking mountain views, and just about everything in between. You can get a patio home, decked out to the nines, or a huge custom home perfect for visits from the grandchildren. No matter which you choose you will know that you've stepped into a luxury community.

With a population of over 75,000, the Villages in Florida is more like a “golf city” than a golf community. They have special transportation trails especially built for golf carts. Amenities include – are you ready – over 40 recreation centers, over 24 executive golf courses, 8 championship golf courses with country clubs, a golf academy, polo field, 3 fitness centers, woodworking shop, community gardens, archery range, 2 libraries and several schools (for the employees of The Villages). The community also has two homeowners associations, a daily newspaper, a radio station and a cable channel. Whew!

Visit PreviewNaples.com for all the tools and information you need to navigate the Naples real estate and greater Southwest Florida real estate market. You'll find local realty info, including details about Royal Harbor real estate.